Sarawak CM continues to battle illegal logging

DID you know that Sarawak lost at least RM1.4 million in royalties during the first quarter of this year due to illegal logging?

These are actually figures for the 94 cases that were detected by the enforcement teams who have been working tirelessly, now that our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem has tasked them to, in order to shutdown all such illegal operations.

Most of us would know that sometimes audacious and unscrupulous individuals have no qualms just entering jungle areas, even if they are under a national park or near a village, to cut down precious trees and harvest the timber for themselves.

They are not concerned about environmental degradation or how the timber is extracted or whether they are trampling on a village’s Native Customary Rights (NCR) land – just the cold hard cash they hope to earn at the end of the process.

And they are definitely not going to pay any royalties to the State so that there could actually be some good done by contributing to the Sarawak’s coffers so that more roads could be built, Rural Electrification Scheme projects fulfilled or clean water supply connected.

No, these scumbags go in and take whatever they want and do nothing more then destroy the jungle and lace their own pockets with their ill-gotten gains.

Yes, basically they are STEALING from you and I. Stealing not only precious funds from the State, but also robbing us of our natural heritage.

That’s why Adenan rightly began his crusade against these thieves last year. And he has vowed to continue doing so.

Let’s make sure we join forces with him in this battle.

Here’s part of the report from The Borneo Post:

Swoop on illegal logging continues

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING: The state government lost RM1.4 million in royalty in the first three months of this year due to illegal logging of timber with a market value worth RM10 million.

“We have achieved some degree of success but not complete success yet and that is why the operation will continue,” he said at a press conference after addressing about 300 officers from 21 state and federal enforcement agencies on the matter at Wisma Bapa Malaysa here yesterday.

“Of course I am satisfied but not fully satisfied and lots to be done. I would like to convey my appreciation to these government departments and agencies for the joint operations,” he added.

Adenan revealed that 55 people were under suspicion of involvement in illegal logging activities and 12 lorries, four tug boats, one ship, 11 excavators and a tractor had been confiscated by the authorities.

It was revealed that the suspects included foreigners who are being investigated following their arrest in Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu.